Philippine Department

The Philippine Department was a regular US Army unit which existed from 13 January 1911 to 9 April 1942. Headquartered at Fort Santiago in the Philippine capital of Manila, the department was created with the goal of defending the Philippines and, after Philippine self-government in 1934, training the Philippine Army. The department's commander and officers were all Americans, but the majority of the troops were the Philippine Scouts, enlisted Filipinos. From 10 December 1941 to 9 April 1942, the Philippine Department under Douglas MacArthur resisted the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, but the army was forced to surrender on Bataan on 9 April 1942. MacArthur escaped to Australia and promised to return, and new United States units would liberate the Philippines in 1944-1945. However, the recognition of Philippine independence in 1945 ended the presence of the Philippine Department on the islands.